BackgroundSnail-borne parasitic diseases, such as angiostrongyliasis, clonorchiasis, fascioliasis, fasciolopsiasis, opisthorchiasis, paragonimiasis and schistosomiasis, pose risks to human health and cause major socioeconomic problems in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. In this review we summarize the core roles of snails in the life cycles of the parasites they host, their clinical manifestations and disease distributions, as well as snail control methods.Main bodySnails have four roles in the life cycles of the parasites they host: as an intermediate host infected by the first-stage larvae, as the only intermediate host infected by miracidia, as the first intermediate host that ingests the parasite eggs are ingested, and as the first intermediate host penetrated by miracidia with or without the second intermediate host being an aquatic animal. Snail-borne parasitic diseases target many organs, such as the lungs, liver, biliary tract, intestines, brain and kidneys, leading to overactive immune responses, cancers, organ failure, infertility and even death. Developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America have the highest incidences of these diseases, while some endemic parasites have developed into worldwide epidemics through the global spread of snails. Physical, chemical and biological methods have been introduced to control the host snail populations to prevent disease.ConclusionsIn this review, we summarize the roles of snails in the life cycles of the parasites they host, the worldwide distribution of parasite-transmitting snails, the epidemiology and pathogenesis of snail-transmitted parasitic diseases, and the existing snail control measures, which will contribute to further understanding the snail-parasite relationship and new strategies for controlling snail-borne parasitic diseases.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-018-0414-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Parasites are significant groups for carcinogenesis among which liver flukes, including Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis, are typical representatives causing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the second most common primary hepatic malignancy with dismal prognosis. O. viverrini is prevalent in Southeast Asia, infecting 10 million people while C. sinensis has a wider distribution in East Asia and several Southeast Asian countries, affecting more than 35 million people's health. These two worms have some common characteristics and/or discrepancies in life cycle, genome, and transcriptome. As hot spots in recent years, genome and transcriptome research has extracted numerous novel fluke worm-derived proteins, which are excellent for carcinogenic exploration. However, just a handful of these studies have focused on the metabolic pathway. In this study, the main mechanisms of carcinogenesis of both worms, in terms of mechanical damage, metabolic products and immunopathology, and other possible pathways, will be discussed in detail. This review retrospectively describes the main traits of C. sinensis and O. viverrini, their molecular biology and core carcinogenic mechanisms in a contrast pattern.

BackgroundDengue prevention is important for controlling the spread of dengue infection. Transmission of dengue can be prevented by controlling mosquito breeding sites. Indonesia has dengue a prevention program to minimize mosquito breeding sites known as 3 M Plus. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with dengue prevention behaviour among respondents in the Lowokwaru subdistrict, an urban area in Malang, Indonesia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used a semi-structured questionnaire that was conducted by face-to-face interview.ResultsOlder respondents (> 60 years and 41–60 years) showed better dengue prevention behaviour than younger respondents (21–40 years and < 21 years) (p value = 0.01). Proportionally more male respondents showed poor dengue prevention behaviour compared with female respondents (p value = 0.007). Respondents who lived in Malang for long durations showed better dengue prevention behaviour compared with those who lived there for a shorter period (p value = 0.016). Those with more family members in their households practiced better dengue prevention behaviour compared with those with fewer family members (p value = 0.004). Perception was associated with dengue prevention behaviour. Respondents who had higher perceived susceptibility showed better dengue prevention behaviour compared with those who had moderate perceptions (p value = 0.000).ConclusionsAge, gender, duration of stay in Malang, number of family members, and perception of dengue susceptibility were associated with dengue prevention behaviour.